ICCSD approves names for new schools

IOWA CITY– The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) Board of Education approved the names of three elementary schools and a new high school at their July 8 business meeting.
The names were nominated by members of the public, and selected by a committee of 23 district residents that included students, parents, administrators, employees of the district, and other parties. The selection committee was appointed by Superintendent Steve Murley and former School Board President Sally Hoelscher. The vote for approval was unanimous with Director Patti Fields absent.
Elementary schools
The Archibald Alexander Elementary School is planned for the intersection of Sycamore Street and Daniel Place. It is named after Ottumwa native Archibald Alexander (1888-1958), the first African-American graduate of the University of Iowa College of Engineering. Active in the Republican Party of Iowa, Alexander was named as one of the 100 outstanding alumni of the University of Iowa in 1947.
A new Hoover Elementary School is planned at the intersection of American Legion Road and Barrington Road as the current facility is retired. Herbert Hoover (1874-1964), of West Branch, served as the 31st U.S. President, the only president born in Iowa, and the first born west of the Mississippi River. Hoover was well known for his humanitarian work during and after World War I and World War II.
The Christine Grant Elementary School is planned at Murphy Court and North Liberty Road. Christine Grant (1936-present) was born in Scotland, emigrated to Canada, and received her B.A., M.A. and PhD degrees in physical education at the University of Iowa. She became the first female athletic director at Iowa in 1973, and served until her 2000 retirement. She was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. Grant is best known for her advocacy for gender equality in athletics.
High School
Liberty High School will be located at the intersection of Dubuque Street and North Liberty Road. The name is a nod to North Liberty, where the school will be located, but also intended to be patriotic, reflecting positive attributes about our nation and our democratic beliefs. The district has a tradition of using something other than a person’s name for its high schools.